LowcoSports.com
The first installment between the boys basketball teams from Beaufort High and Whale Branch went down to the wire, and the rematch followed suit.
The result was the same, too, as Samari Bonds put the Eagles on his back and carried Beaufort to a 61-58 win Friday in Seabrook to complete a season sweep of the Warriors.
Bonds poured in 30 points — on 30 shots — and added seven rebounds, five assists, and eight steals to lead the Eagles to another nail-biting win after his defensive efforts at the end of the first meeting helped Beaufort escape with a 55-54 victory.
AJ Newton added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Eagles, while Guerin Willis pulled down nine rebounds, including six at the offensive end, and Amani Cleckley dished out eight assists.
Beaufort had to overcome four Warriors who scored in double-digits, as Bradford Thompson led the way with 15 points and 14 boards in a monster effort, while Greggory Gilbert also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Jenkins added 12 points and eight boards, and Laron Wright finished with 11 points and six assists.
The battle must have taken something out of the Eagles’ legs, because they couldn’t find their offense in a 34-30 loss at May River on Saturday and again struggled in a 54-38 loss at Bluffton on Tuesday despite 18 points from Cleckley.
The Warriors also stumbled Tuesday, falling 45-44 in double overtime against Battery Creek.
Beaufort girls hang on
The Eagles scored their final points of the night just before the 4:00 mark when Leiya Watson banked in a shot, but they also held the Warriors scoreless over the final 3:15 to hold on after Zaria Coaxum’s jumper drew Whale Branch within two.
The game was close throughout, but Savannah Lanham came up with several big offensive rebounds late to help the Eagles earn extra possessions, and Watson, Carson Crosby, and Claire McDaniel all hit big shots in the fourth quarter for Beaufort.
The Eagles struggled a day later at May River, falling 44-11 with Johanna Laney scoring five points to lead Beaufort.
